# Dallara GP2/05

The Dallara GP2/05 is an open-wheel formula racing car, developed by Italian chassis manufacturer Dallara, for use in the GP2 Series, a feeder series for Formula One. The GP2/05 was the first 1st-generation car used by the GP2 Series. The GP2/05 was used from 2005 to 2007, in keeping with the series philosophy of introducing a chassis every three years. As the GP2 Series is a spec-formula, the car was utilised by all teams and drivers in the championship.

## History

The car had its initial shakedown at the Circuit Paul Ricard on 16 July 2004 by Franck Montagny. Another test was held on the Barcelona circuit in November 2004. The old Formula 3000 cars, the Lola B02/50, also participated in the test. The times of the two different types of cars were similar, but this was due to an accident in the first laps, which forced Montagny to limit the use of the car. The first collective test was held between 23 and 25 February 2005, again on the Paul Ricard Circuit.

### Chassis

Made by Dallara, the chassis is a 585 kilogram carbon fibre monocoque built to the safety standards of the Formula One governing body, the FIA. The chassis features a ground effect which makes racing more intense and maximises overtaking possibilities. The 2006 GP2 car featured a biplane rear wing, with the triplane rear wing used in 2005 only to be used at the Monaco race. The front upper and lower wishbones were reinforced, as were the front and rear suspension uprights. The car was updated for the 2007 season, without however providing for the installation of the push to pass button, tested in 2006.

### Engine

The 2005 season engine is a 580 bhp Renault V8 engine, meaning that the power of the GP2 car is not too far off that of its Formula One counterpart. Pre-season tests show that the engine can, over one lap, be within a few seconds of the engine used by the Renault F1 team. The engine also features fly-by-wire throttle mechanisms, and to reduce costs and any advantage to the wealthier teams, can only be rebuilt after it has been used for over 4,000 kilometres of racing. The 2006 4 litre V8 engine featured internal, cartographic and software upgrades designed to improve performance and fuel consumption.

### Gearbox

The GP2 gear box is of the six speed, semi-automatic type. The gears themselves are changed via F1-style shift paddles on the wheel, as opposed to being changed with a traditional gear stick. The gear box, like the engine, is not too far off its F1 counterpart. The 2006 gearbox was manufactured by GearTek, and featured an 8 position barrel, with ratchet body and software upgrades, as well as a new transverse shafts fixing system designed to facilitate improved gear selection.

### Tyres

Bridgestone would become the preferred official tyre partner and supplier. The 2005 season was the only one in which GP2 used grooved tires like F1 cars instead of slicks.

### Other Parts

The exhaust on the car uses the latest 8-in-1 technology, whilst the brake discs are made from high-quality carbon so that they won't wear quickly, as well as to meet strict FIA safety regulations. The car's electronics are designed and supplied by popular F1 manufacturer Magneti Marelli. The 2006 Brembo supplied a new development of monobloc brake calipers and disc bells, which were exclusive to GP2. The car also featured internal cooling upgrades, a new water radiator, radiator duct, oil and water heat exchanger, modified oil degasser, new oil and water pipes and new heat exchanger fixing brackets.
The car features hardly any aids, with traction control, launch control and automatic gear shifting not included.

### Performance

According to research and pre-season stability tests, the 2005 model can go 0 to 200 km/h in 6.70 seconds. The car has a top speed of 320 km/h meaning it is the fastest single seater racing car, bar the Formula One models it is based on, out of the European racing series. The cars are predicted to be reliable and are within less than five seconds per lap of the typical Formula One car.

## Controversies

In the opening race at 2005 Imola, there were a number of mechanical problems and with organisers afraid of trouble at the start, the rolling start was used in both races despite the weather being dry. At Catalunya, the drivers could finally experience standing starts. At 2006 Imola the Durango team was in hot water for breaking the rules by making their own parts rather than using Dallara's technical equipment the problem was only the skirts of the car. Two Durango entries of Lucas di Grassi and Sergio Hernández had been banned from competing in the 2006 Silverstone Sprint, after both were found to have illegal repairs made to their rear wings, one of which had caused di Grassi's wing to fail in the Feature.